HOMEOWNERS could get free or cheap energy-saving up-grades to their homes and slash up to £3,334 a year off their bills.

Energy bills are set to rise again on Tuesday when regulator Ofgem’s new price cap takes effect.

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The average household paying by direct debit for dual fuel will see a £149 annual increase, or about £12 a month.

But making your home more energy-efficient can pay off.

The average power bill for a three-bedroom house with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of G is £5,674 a year — but the same house with a D rating averages £2,340, says property site Rightmove.

Homes with good insulation and LED lighting typically have higher EPC ratings, with A the best and G the worst. But around 55 per cent of UK housing is rated D or below.

Charles Roe, mortgages director at trade body UK Finance, says: “The UK has some of the oldest, least energy-efficient housing in Europe.

Upgrading our homes is a huge challenge, with key barriers being lack of confidence among homeowners and costs.”

Harriet Meyer looks at five simple home improvements that could cut your bills and sources of funding for your upgrades . . . 

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Loft insulation

SAVE UP TO £340 A YEAR

THIS could save £340 a year for a detached home and £180 in a mid-terrace house, says the Energy Saving Trust.

You can do it yourself with mineral wool rolls if your loft is accessible.

According to Which?, loft insulation is around £20 for a 100mm-thick roll, covering about 8.3 square metres. Hiring a pro for an average semi could cost around £950.

The EST’s Joanna O’Loan says: “An uninsulated home loses about a quarter of its heat through the roof. If your insulation is less than 150mm, top it up to 270mm.”

Some energy firms offer free loft insulation through the energy company obligation scheme.

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Double glazing

SAVE £120 A YEAR

UPGRADING your windows with A-rated double glazing could save around £120 a year on energy bills for the average semi-detached property, reckons the EST.

But be prepared to fork out around £15,000 to get this done.

If money is tight, a more affordable alternative is to buy ready-made secondary-glazing film online for about £10.

Use a hairdryer to shrink it to fit your frame.

You could also fit a layer of glass or plastic inside your frame and do this work yourself.

Get a few quotes if getting an expert to do the work.

Upgrade heating system

SAVE UP TO £280 A YEAR

IF your boiler is more than ten years old, it may be less efficient and it could pay off to get it replaced.

Efficient A-rated condensing boilers could save up to £280 a year if you live in a mid-terrace house and are replacing a G-rated boiler, according to the EST.

If you do not qualify for the government assistance, getting a new boiler installed is likely to set you back around £4,000.

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Plug air gaps

SAVE £100s A YEAR

PUTTING draught-proofing around your windows and doors could save you £35 a year, says the EST.

You can buy a cheap brush draught excluder online to fit under your front and back doors.

For internal doors, try rolled-up towels, old tights filled with clothes, or get a second-hand draught excluder on eBay.

If you have an unused chimney, block it with a cheap inflatable chimney balloon or DIY with old pillows. This can save you another £50 a year.

Don’t forget to plug other draughty spots such as floorboards, loft hatches and wall cracks too.

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Swap to LED bulbs

SAVE UP TO £75 A YEAR

REMOVING your old halogen light bulbs and replacing them with energy-efficient LED bulbs is one of the simplest ways to reduce your bills.

Light-emitting diode bulbs use significantly less energy — up to 90 per cent less than standard bulbs.

According to the EST, replacing all the bulbs in your home with LEDs could save you up to £75 a year on your energy bills.

You can buy basic ones for as little as £1 to £3 each.

‘We’re making cost of new boiler back with lower bills’

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SIDNEY and Elaine Regan are saving £200 a month after making energy-efficient changes.

Their energy bill doubled to over £500 a month because their boiler was getting old – so they invested in a new one, costing £5,000.

Retired care home receptionist Elaine said: “The bills were cheaper in winter after the up-grade. We’re gradually making the cost back.”

In addition to their Worcester Bosch combi boiler, the couple had a smart meter fitted in their three-bedroom terrace in Borehamwood, Herts – at no extra cost through their energy supplier, Octopus.

Elaine, 67, added: “We can now watch our usage and see what makes a difference.”

Taxi driver Sidney, 77, and Elaine have also made smaller changes, such as running the dishwasher less often, using draft excluders, and fitting LED light bulbs.

• An Energy Performance Certificate is valid for ten years. You can find your home’s EPC at Gov.uk and request a new one for £60-£120.

A MAJOR high street discounter has apologised for closing a branch after it was open for just one year.

The store in Maidenhead, Berkshire will close permanently next month due to issues surrounding the lease of the building.

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Poundland’s store on Maidenhead High Street had already closed temporarily earlier this week after water damage caused part of the ceiling to collapse.

Despite this being fixed, the budget retailer has confirmed that the store will shut its doors forever in mid October.

A spokesperson for the company said: “I’m afraid we’ve been unable to secure an agreement with our landlord that would enable us to keep the store trading in Maidenhead.

“We know this will be disappointing to customers and we’re sorry we’ll be closing on 18 October. 

“It goes without saying we’ll be doing all we can to look after colleagues that work there.”

Poundland had moved in to the building last year after the company stepped in to take over a number of Wilko shop leases, following the latter’s collapse.

Maidenhead High Street has also seen other casualties in the losses of both its Clarks and Barclays stores.

Clarks shut its doors on the street in June this year while the Barclays branch closed for the final time in May.

Poundland had undergone an expansion last year when it took over 71 ex-Wilko stores after the retailer fell into administration.

Since then however, several have closed down, including in Ellesmere Port, Galashiels, Scotland, and the Sailmakers Shopping Centre in Ipswich.

On top of this, in August a Poundland store in south Macclesfield closed for good.

A month before that, the discounter pulled down the shutters on a store in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, after taking it on from Wilko.

Despite this, earlier this year the retailer pledged to revamp 150 stores by end of August with new signage, flooring, lighting and ranges.

It also aimed to have staff areas made over to make them better places to work.

THE corner shop known as Arkwright’s in hit TV comedy Open All Hours is being auctioned for £150,000.

The classic BBC sitcom starring the late Ronnie Barker as stuttering shopkeeper Albert Arkwright and Sir David Jason as his long suffering errand boy Granville.

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Beautique salon in Doncaster, South Yorks, acted as the backdrop for the show which ran from 1976 to 1985 and had 17 million viewers a week at its peak.

Legendary actor Sir David, 84, reprised his role as shopkeeper Granville for sequel Still Open All Hours in 2013 and again the shop was used.

But the series, which also starred Johnny Vegas, Tim Healy and Sally Lindsay, was axed during Covid in 2020.

Auctioneers now hope that the property’s TV history will attract plenty of bidders when it goes to auction on October 16 with a guide price of £150,000.

The hairdressers – which was saved from demolition in 2007 after campaigners fought off council plans to bulldoze it – comes with two self-contained flats on the upper floor and boasts an annual rent of £16,440 when fully let.

Film crews moved in for weeks at a time for each series of Open All Hours and the end-terrace on Lister Avenue in Balby, less than a mile from Doncaster city centre, became a tourist attraction over the years.

PARENTS are being stung with school uniform costs of up to £442 per child, a damning report reveals.

Nearly one in ten families said they were deterred from choosing certain schools simply because they could not afford the pricey clothes.

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And 12 per cent admitted they faced financial hardship just to get their kids dressed for class.

The Department for Education’s report shows secondary school uniforms — including PE kits — cost an average of £442 last year.

It was £343 for primary school pupils.

Both were slightly down on the inflation-adjusted figures for 2015.

Blazers, coats and shoes remain the most expensive items.

The report also found 86 per cent of kids must wear one branded item at least, forcing parents to buy from expensive suppliers.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson yesterday reconfirmed plans to limit demands for branded items through the Children’s Wellbeing Bill.

She told The Sun: “For cash-strapped families to still be worrying about sky-high school uniform costs is nothing short of scandalous.

“No family should face barriers to children attending school.”

BREWERY hops are finally getting hip.

Ale – usually associated with bushy-bearded blokes – is enjoying a trendy renaissance, with one in three women also enjoying a regular sup.

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If you’re ale-curious but wary of the dark and sinister-looking “real” stuff, or simply don’t know where to start with this acquired taste tipple, you can give it a go with lighter – and cheaper – versions from the supermarkets before hitting the pub for the real deal.

Here, Helena Nicklin, offers her selection of top newbie at-home ales.

Harbour Session IPA, Lidl

£1.85, 440ml, 4% ABV

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AN exclusive Lidl brew, a can of Harbour Session, which is decked out in Creme Egg colours, feels like an IPA “lite” so it’s perhaps not a bad one to begin with if you’re new to this category.

IPA purists might well say it’s a bit too thin rather than hoppy – but they can continue propping up the bar with their pint of cask while you enjoy this at home as it’s cheap and very easy to glug.

Looks fun with its bright colours so would make a great party ale. Worth a try even if it is not what you end up sipping in the pub.

2/5

£2, 500ml, 4.6% ABV

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OAKHAM was the first UK brewery to produce a beer with 100% citra hops.

These are a fairly new type used for their fruity, citrus and floral aromatics and flavours, and known for adding vibrancy to ales.

If you can get past the quirky label then glugging this very light gold will offer you bright tropical fruit and candied lemon peel flavours.

It’s hip and hoppy with lots going on so worth giving it a go.

My top tip for anyone switching tipples from a glass of white vino is that if you’re into sauvignon blanc, you’ll love this.

3/5

£2,25, 500ml, 5% ABV

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BLONDE ale is even lighter than amber and the clue is in the name as it generally has a gorgeous, light gold hue.

Such styles tend to be crisp and pretty easy-drinking with light, biscuity notes.

If you’ve never had ale before, something like this would be a great place to start.

This organic tipple is made with real honey, malt and hops.

It has a touch of baked apple fruitiness and a ­subtle nectar note without being sweet or too intense.

Delicious cracked open on its own any time, and lovely paired with salty crisps.

3/5

Black Sheep Ale, Tesco

£2, 500ml, 4.4% ABV

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WHILE you currently can’t get real dark and savoury cask ale to glug at home – unless you have your own pub, that is – an amber ale like this, with its less hoppy, more caramel-toffee notes, is a great place to start to get a feel for the darker stuff.

Whether you are a newbie to this type of drink or just want to try some different options in the ­comfort of your own home then this classic Yorkshire tipple is rich, balanced and smooth, with a Malteser-like, malty sweetness.

It’s awesome with a meaty pie. Trendy bottle too.

5/5

Adnams Ghost Ship Ale, Asda

£2, 500ml, 4.5% ABV

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IF it’s the vibrant, citrusy notes you love in a pale ale then spooky ­sipper Ghost Ship, with its powerful twist of lemon and lime, should be right up your street.

Made with a mix of British and American barley and rye, it’s a little hoppy and has elderflower hints along with biscuity notes.

Apparently inspired by smugglers and our haunted coastlines, it’s a great thirst-slayer – and with its spectral label it would definitely be a fabulous choice if you’re getting the beers in for Halloween.

4/5

BrewDog Punk IPA, Sainsbury’s £5.25 (Nectar),

330ml x 4, 5.4% ABV

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IF you’ve tried pale ale before and enjoyed its light, bright hoppiness but want a bit more of that flavour, then India pale ale is the way to go.

Brewdog’s version is a go-to for many, and for a good reason – it gets the balance just right between citrus and hops, and has a moreish earthy note on the finish.

An easy-to-drink classic that would be a great intro to IPAs.

It is well-priced – more so at the moment as it is on offer – so if it isn’t for you then you won’t break the bank. Drink it chilled with snacks.

3/5

Saltaire Blonde Ale, Morrisons

£2.25, 500ml, 4% ABV

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SOME ingredients really do have the best names and Saltaire Ale says it is made with Bohemian saaz hops, which feels fitting given its slightly quirky profile.

Light, refreshing and soft, there’s a gentle, spicy maltiness to this well-priced blonde, which hails from Yorkshire.

A lower ABV makes it an easy-drinking choice – there’s lots of flavour here without being heavy.

It’s definitely a top at-home brew to try if you are just starting out on your ale journey.

4/5

William Bros Birds & Bees, Aldi

£1.65, 500ml, 4.3% ABV

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NOT yet sure about the bitter hops of pale ales and IPAs?

Then a golden ale might be the best go-to for you.

This affordable offering gives you a lot of bang for your buck – and its slightly lower ABV than some other options might be appealing for certain sippers, too.

More about ripe, tropical fruit flavours and delicate florals, golden ales like this one have a real ­summer party vibe.

This is a great one for spreading a ­little sunshine into a soggy autumn day. Or sipping ­outside in the summer.

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SHOPPERS have been left divided after they spotted a roast potato mayonnaise on the shelves of one supermarket.

The divisive product was launched as part of Asda’s festive range alongside a range of other themed items.

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The roast potato flavoured condiment has however caused a stir on social media, with some commenting that they can’t tell if the product will be “delightful” or “disgusting.”

Garnering thousands of comments on social media, one customer tagging her friends on Facebook wrote: “How stunning does this sound.”

Another user added they were “all over this.”

Some have already purchased the sauce and said it is “absolutely delicious.”

It even prompted others to visit their nearest store store, saying “off to Asda now.” 

Some have even planned how to incorporate it into their meals, with one person saying they could use this to “make a Christmas dinner leftovers sandwich at teatime.”

Another said: “Sounds perfect in a ready salted crisp sandwich or with a stuffing sarnie.”

One person even thought about how the sauce could be “banging in a homemade potato salad.”

But not everybody shared this same sentiment.

One person said: “I may need to try this, sounds disgusting but I love a roast tattie.”

Another added: “Why? What’s the point? Just have roast potatoes with proper mayo.”

The product is currently retailing at £1.10 at Asda stores according to the chain.

It described the sauce as a light creamy mayonnaise, with roast garlic, onion and rosemary which gives it its festive flavour. 

The mayo was launched as part of the supermarket giant’s Christmas range, which also includes mince pies and camembert-flavoured crisps.

The Sun tried out some of these products earlier this month, including the seven different types of mince pies that will feature in stores.

This includes the return of its Brown Butter & Rum Mince Pies as well as a brand new Toffee Apple Spiced flavour.

Selected products from the 500 item strong Christmas range are available in stores and online now. 

For further product details of the festive range, Asda’s Christmas food and drink Look Book can be viewed online here. 

Funky condiments have been around long before Asda’s new sauce.

Earlier this month, Heinz launched its Monster Munch pickled onion flavoured mayo.

The “scarily good” collaborative product was created ahead of Halloween celebrations in October.

Asda itself also launched a chip shop curry mayonnaise earlier this year.